Anode for electrolytic rectifiers



G. H.-GROCE AND G. M. HOWARD. ANODE FOR ELECTROLYTIC REGTIFIERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-11, 1920.

1,436,709. Patented Nov. 28, 1922-.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1922.

'UNITED STATES lABGJGQ PATENT OFFIQ GEORGE E. GROCE, OF'CHIGAGO, ILLINOIS, AND GEORGE M. HOWARD, OF PHILA DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ANODE FOR ELECTROLYTIC RECTIFIERS.

Application filed August 17, 1920. Serial No. 404,049.

To all witom it may concern Be it known that we, GEORGE H. GRooE and GEORGE M. HOWARD, both citizens of the United States, the former a resident of Chicago', county of Cook, State of Illinois, the latter a resident of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Anodes for Electrolytic Rectifiers, set forth in the followingspec'ification.

This invention relates to anodes for electrolytic rectifiers.

The principal object of this invention is an improvement in an anode for an electrolytic rectifier, which will result in longer life of that anode.

Other objects and advantages will appear i as the description of the invention proseveral views, an

gresses, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying-drawing wherein has been illustrated a preferred physical embodiment ofthe invention, and wherein like characters of reference designatecorrespondin parts throughout the in which':.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal crosssectional view of an anode constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2-is an end view of the device illustrated by Fig. l.

The anode of electrolytic rectifiers is generally constructed of lead or polished steel. Although theoretically it ma be that the anode should not dissolve or isintegrate in use, nevertheless in practice the anode wears away quite rapidly. In order to obviate this defect the present invention provides that the current carrying ,ortion of the electrode wherein contact with the electrolyte shall consist of an alloy of lead and antimony and preferably one containin not less than abouteight per centum of antimony weight.

The electrode may be made in various forms but it is preferred to make the electrode in the form illustrated by the drawing accompanyingandforming a part of this Yap lication. V v v n the preferred form shown by thev drawi the member 3 is the electrode composed 0 an alloy of lead and antimony, con- .taining' preferably not less{ than about eight per centum of antimony by weight.

6.7%; 4% antimony 0.8%; 8% antimony to 0.04%. Still higher percentages of antimony were tried but no'advantage over the 8% antimony was found.

In thepreferred form the electrode 3 is surrounded by a tube" 4, formed of a material not acted upon by the electrolyte of an electrolytic rectifier.. This tube 4 is preferably formed of metal and is best formed of steel.

The electrode 3 is held in the tube 4 and spaced therefrom 'by insulating material 5 and 6. Thisw insulating material is preferably cork and is positioned as shown so as to make aliquid tight joint both at point of contact with the tube and with the electrode,

" both at the upper end and at the lower end.

electrolyte so that no electrolyte comes in contact with the electrode at the surface line of the electrolyte.

Although the construction of one physical embodiment of the invention has been particularly described, and. the operation and principle thereofexplained, nevertheless, it is desired to have it understood that the form selectedis merely illustrative, but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of meims underlying the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an electrolytic rectifier, in combination: an electrode composed of an alloy of lead and antimony containing not less than about eight'per centum by weight of anti- 100 mony. I

2. In an electrolytic rectifier an electrode which has all parts in contact with an electrolyte which carry current composed of an mony by weight.

GEORGE H.-GRooE. GEORGE M. nowann. 

